Viral Infections of the Human Nervous System [electronic resource] / edited by Alan C. Jackson.

Part I Encephalitis -- Measles Virus Infection and Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis -- Epstein-Barr Virus and Cytomegalovirus Infections -- Herpes Simplex Virus Meningoencephalitis -- Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy -- Varicella-Zoster Virus Infections -- Part II Meningitis -- Enterovirus Infections -- Part III Retroviruses -- Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection / AIDS -- Human T-cell Lymphotropic Virus Type 1 Infection -- Part IV Viral Zoonoses -- Rabies -- West Nile Virus Infection -- Japanese Encephalitis Virus Infection --  Chikungunya Virus Infection -- Nipah Virus Infection -- Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers -- Part V Unconventional Agents -- Prion Diseases.

Viral infections of the nervous system are important because they are associated with high morbidity and mortality. A variety of pathogenetic mechanisms are involved in these infections and an understanding of the pathogenesis is essential in understanding the diagnostic and clinical management aspects of the disease. Specialized investigations are often necessary for definitive diagnosis, although a presumptive diagnosis should often be suspected on the basis of the clinical features. Many of the chapters in this book are written by neurologists who are experts in basic science research of their topic in addition to active clinical practice in their specialty.